Having never visited the Eastern States, it has been my
misfortune never to have had the pleasure of a personal
acquaintance with any of those eminent literary characters
which that part of the United States has produced, and, if
I may credit Fame, abounds with, more than any other
part of our common country; a circumstance probably not
more mortifying to myself than of real disadvantage to this
part of the United States, since a more frequent intercourse
and intimate acquaintance between the several
parts of the Union would probably contribute more to remove
local prejudices and cement the bond of union than
any other project, unsupported by such a foundation. To
supply, as far as respects myself, this inconvenience in
some measure, I have prevailed on my friend, the Rev.
Mr. Hust, to favor me with a letter of introduction, which
I take the liberty to enclose, and to request your pardon
for thus intruding my correspondence upon you; a liberty
which private considerations alone could scarcely justify on
any account, and which, I fear, you will think fully commensurate
to the occasion which prompts it.

The introduction of slavery into this country is at this
day considered among its greatest misfortunes by a very
great majority of those who are reproached for an evil
which the present generation could no more have avoided
than an hereditary gout or leprosy. The malady has proceeded
so far as to render it doubtful whether any specific
can be found to eradicate, or even to palliate, the disease.
Having, in my official character as professor of law in the
college at this place [Williamsburg], had occasion to notice
the several acts of the legislature on the subject, I find that,
even before the commencement of the present century, an
attempt was made to check the importation of slaves, by
imposing a duty on them. The act was indeed only temporary,
but was renewed as often as the influence of the
African Company in England would permit. At length the
duty was made payable by the buyers; but the acts imposing
it were still temporary, though constantly renewed
whenever an extraordinary supply of money was required,
and was gradually increased from five to twenty per cent,
ad valorem. As soon as the Revolution took place, the legislature
passed an act prohibiting the importation of slaves,
under the severest penalties; and permitting, what had
hitherto been prohibited, the voluntary emancipation of
them by their masters. The question of a general emancipation
has not, that I know, been brought on the carpet in
the legislature; but I am fully persuaded that circumstance
is altogether owing to the difficulties which present themselves
to every reflecting mind. To assist in removing them
is the object of this letter; for having observed, with much
pleasure, that slavery has been wholly exterminated from
the Massachusetts, and being impressed with an idea that
it once had existence there, I have cherished a hope that
we may, from the example of our sister State, learn what
methods are most likely to succeed in removing the same
evil from among ourselves. With this view, I have taken
the liberty to enclose a few queries, which, if your leisure
will permit you to answer, you will confer on me a favor
which I shall always consider as an obligation; and if, in
the pursuits in which you are engaged, any subject should
occur in which you may be disposed to obtain information
from this quarter, I will not promise to afford it you, but
I assure you that I will most faithfully endeavour to do it.

Queries respecting the Introduction, Progress, and Abolition of Slavery in Massachusetts.

1st. The first introduction of negroes or other slaves in
Massachusetts?

2d. Whether the African trade was carried on thither?
at what period it commenced? to what extent it was carried
on? when it began to decline? and when it was wholly discontinued?

3d. Whether it was carried on by European or American
adventurers? by what means its declension first began?
whether from legislative discouragement or other causes?
and to what causes its abolition is to be ascribed?

4th. The state of slavery in the Massachusetts when
slaves were most numerous? their number when most numerous?
their proportion to the number of white persons
at that period?

5th. The mode by which slavery hath been abolished
there? whether by a general and simultaneous emancipation?
or at different periods? or whether by declaring all
persons born after a particular period free?

6th. At what period slavery was wholly abolished? what
were their numbers and proportion to the whites at that
period?

7th. What is the condition of emancipated negroes? is
any, and what, provision made for their education and
maintenance during infancy, or in a state of decrepitude,
age, or insanity?

8th. What are their political rights or disabilities? if there
be any discrimination between them and white persons?

9th. Is there any perceptible difference between the
general moral or social conduct of emancipated persons,
or their descendants, and others?

10th. Are intermarriages frequent between blacks and
whites? if so, are such alliances more frequent between
black men and white women, or the contrary?

11th. Does harmony in general prevail between the
blacks and white citizens? do they associate freely together?
or is there a pre-eminence claimed by the one, and
either avowedly or tacitly admitted by the other?